Grammatophyllum - Orchid Board

Amir · #1 09-16-2010, 03:33 AM

Hi Everyone,

I bought a small gramatophyllum 2.5 years ago here in Thailand where I live (i don t know which specie exactly). It's been now 2.5 years that this orchid grows and has already tripled it's size (if not more). I am posting a pic from 2 years ago and will post one tomorrow from now so that you can see the difference. It s so big and heavy that I had to put it in a big pot as I was worring that it could not stay any longer suspended.
Leaves have a nice green, roots are beautiful and very healthy and it seems realy to be in perfect conditions.

My only problem... it has never flowered??!!! after 2.5 years! My watering might not be a problem (3 times per week, less during raining season). Sun is 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon directly on the flower but as said previously the leaves are in perfect conditions. It s fertized once a week. The only thing is that the roots have no substrat and stay in the air and not in a pot with cocnut mix (that s what we usualy use in Thailand).
I just don t understand why it doesn t give flowers? Is it a specie that gives flowers only after a certain time?

Any advice??

Triffid · #2 09-16-2010, 08:52 AM

Hi and welcome to the OB.

Not an Expert but have looked up this type before. There are a few threads in the beginners section which have mentioned Grammatophyllum.
But here's a couple of links to get you started

Clanorchids culture
Gardenology Grammatophyllum

Oh and it seems to be one of those plants that Bloom Rarely but well worth the wait! So don't give up on it just yet

Amir · #3 09-16-2010, 09:54 AM

Thanks a lot for the links. I didn't get through yet but will read them.
My friend told me that this specie needs to be 4-5 years old before it flowers...
Guess that i will have to be a little more patient.
By the way just took a pic of it now. see attached.

Amir

tucker85 · #4 09-16-2010, 10:22 AM

That's a spectacular plant. Congratulations, you seem to be doing everything right. When orchids grow great foliage but don't bloom, it's most often that they are not getting quite enough light. If there is a place where you could give it a little more light without burning it, that may help.

Triffid · #5 09-17-2010, 04:25 AM

That is a monster plant and does seem to look very healthy! Congratulations and well done!
I hope it blooms for you sooner rather than later, and when it does please let the rest of us see!

Amir · #6 09-17-2010, 07:06 AM

I will definitely post pics when it blooms.
Thanks for your support and advices guys.

tucker85 · #7 09-17-2010, 09:33 AM

My orchid book says that Grammatophyllum have some of the longest lasting blooms in the orchid world. Good luck.

Brotherly Monkey · #8 09-17-2010, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amir

Hi Everyone,

I bought a small gramatophyllum 2.5 years ago here in Thailand where I live (i don t know which specie exactly). It's been now 2.5 years that this orchid grows and has already tripled it's size (if not more). I am posting a pic from 2 years ago and will post one tomorrow from now so that you can see the difference. It s so big and heavy that I had to put it in a big pot as I was worring that it could not stay any longer suspended.
Leaves have a nice green, roots are beautiful and very healthy and it seems realy to be in perfect conditions.

My only problem... it has never flowered??!!! after 2.5 years! My watering might not be a problem (3 times per week, less during raining season). Sun is 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon directly on the flower but as said previously the leaves are in perfect conditions. It s fertized once a week. The only thing is that the roots have no substrat and stay in the air and not in a pot with cocnut mix (that s what we usualy use in Thailand).
I just don t understand why it doesn t give flowers? Is it a specie that gives flowers only after a certain time?

Any advice??

From the little I know about them, i think they generally like a lot of direct light. Similar to cattleyas in that regard. i would try to slowly work into higher light while just keeping an eye on the foliage

But like I said, i don't know much about the genus

Rosiefuture · #9 09-17-2010, 11:42 AM

Hi Amir, welcome to the OB

I looked up grammatophyllum on the net and it can grow to gigantic proportions. It also said that this orchid likes high levels of light. The flower spike can grow between 8ft and 25ft! Wow!

Here's a pic I found

IncredibleOrchids · #10 09-17-2010, 02:03 PM

Yup, Gramms really can get gigantic!!! Good luck with yours!